Hayatou urges Congress to back ´new dawn´ at FIFA

Acting FIFA president Issa Hayatou has urged delegates to embrace a “new dawn” at Friday’s election.

World football’s governing body will elect a new leader at the Congress in Zurich, while officials are expected to vote in favour of a number of proposed reforms aimed at repairing the organisation’s image, which has been tarnished by corruption investigations in the past year.

Hayatou has again called for Congress to back the reforms at the polls on Friday and says the permanent successor to Sepp Blatter – who stood down as president last year – must be given unflinching support by voters.

“It is crucial that we all unite behind the successful candidate after the election,” he said.

“I know that we will all support the new president and the proposed new FIFA Council in the hard work of restoring trust through the reform that lies ahead.

“The eyes of the world are on us this week after one of the most challenging times in our shared history. This is our opportunity to show the world that we are united in building a stronger FIFA.

“The past few months have been extremely challenging for us all, but this Congress has the power to signal a new dawn for FIFA.

“I look forward to playing my part alongside you in bringing the new reforms to life as we take this great organisation forward once again under new leadership.”

Gianni Infantino and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are expected to battle it out for the role.